Verlie Burroughs is a west coast writer from Vancouver Island.

Chains

Stars and falling stars darkness then lightning
all in a night silently inviting digging deep left
feeling buried, past is looming.
Pen gives it resonance reliving a life sentence
that has no reason to haunt me except to taunt me.
Roused no rebuttal can't go back, why keep track
wanting clarity, why the memory if it's wasted.
Took a stance no advance, I retreated, dropped the
thread. Now it's all recast in my head.
Played hard, the game was rough then one day
realized I had enough, every time I thought I was
gaining turned out to be another link in the chain.

Mourning Crow

High up in a tree
a lone crow is calling, calling.
He's not going anywhere
watching, waiting
between calls.
He's clearly hungry
breaking foliage with his
worried beak (the aromatic scent of cedar drifts down to me
on the ground, watching, waiting).
The crow resumes his plaintive call,
all we hear is an echo.

Rain

Florence 2018

Oh, Florence
churning
lurching
on your way
bringing waves
every eye on your eye
from space and sky
tracking your path
your surge
your wind
your rain
your wrath
Oh, Florence

Note

May all those in the path of Hurricane Florence find shelter and safety.

© 2018 Verlie Burroughs

Comments

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on October 13, 2018:

Thank you Lora. That crow kinda broke my heart. Your visit, and kind words are much appreciated.

Lora Hollings on October 13, 2018:

Really love the painting and the poetry has some vivid imagery and flows nicely too! I especially like Mourning Crow.

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on October 13, 2018:

Hi John, Thank you very much! Appreciate your reading.

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on October 13, 2018:

Verlie, your poems paint very vivid pictures of what you are describing in a quite unique style. I am impressed. A pleasure to read.

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on October 08, 2018:

Rajan, thanks for the visit, much appreciated.

Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on October 08, 2018:

The painting is well done and the poems make the scenes come alive.

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on October 01, 2018:

Thank you so much Mary!

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on October 01, 2018:

I love the painting and I love the poetry.

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on September 16, 2018:

Hi Genna, I am counting my blessings as I sit here on this calm, quiet Sunday morning. The images of havoc and destruction in the path of Florence (and now Mangkhut) are disturbing and haunting. The bravery and resilience of the people who are right there, riding it out is remarkable. Thanks for your appreciation.

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on September 16, 2018:

Dear Mar, I'm afraid I'm becoming a little 'undone' witnessing the devastation happening with Florence, and now the terrible storm Mangkhut in South East Asia. I think I need to go for a walk, hope you are well. Thanks so much for the visit, I'm happy you can relate.

Genna East from Massachusetts, USA on September 16, 2018:

I love the rain, and the writing within it. There is something comforting about the way it seems to tick off time with smooth and strident steps. Florence's wrath of water is a different story. I wonder if she is nature's way of trying to tell us something. The images in your acrylic match the thought-provoking power of your words. Beautiful work, Verlie.

Maria Jordan from Jeffersonville PA on September 16, 2018:

Dear Verlie,

Your poetry is some of the finest I have read. You bring life "to life", if that makes sense.

What a song choice... who indeed will stop the rain?

Wishing safety to all the people and pets experiencing Florence's fury.

Have a peaceful day. Love, Maria

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on September 14, 2018:

Mike, you are never late. And your continued patronage classes up my act, good sir. (I borrowed that line I hope I won't get sued). Thanks for the praise, you are too kind.

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on September 14, 2018:

Ges Jaicten thank you. What a nice comment. You've got a big storm rolling where you are too!. Stay safe.

mckbirdbks from Emerald Wells, Just off the crossroads,Texas on September 14, 2018:

Hello Verlie - So sorry I am late. You present some powerful poetry here. This line, "Roused no rebuttal can't go back, why keep track" has a bit of genius revealed. You are such a talented poet. And Artist!

Ges Jaicten from Iloilo City on September 13, 2018:

Wow, these are beautiful. I'm saddened by what's happening in your side of the world but as a pluviophile, this is truly a work of art. Keep writing!

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on September 13, 2018:

Hi Rinita, you are so thoughtful. Thanks for your great comments. The painting! You know, I'm not a painter but I did study painting at one time in my speckled career. And I made a few attempts, this is one of them, done on a visit to a remote lighthouse where I was a guest many moons ago, must find the date to properly archive my work.

Yes, Florence is an overwhelming event. Thanks for appreciating.

Rinita Sen on September 13, 2018:

Hi, fellow nature lover. :). These were candid yet thoughtful. Chains run deep, the crow paints a sombre picture somewhere far away. I have my thoughts and prayers with those in the way of the hurricane, too, which I think is your best piece on this page.

Also, your painting is beautiful!

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on September 13, 2018:

Hi Peg, Good to see you, thank you very much for the visit. I have been following Florence for days (haven't we all?) and I have online friends/writer friends in N Carolina as well, so yes, keeping my eyes glued to the screen, waiting for news, gosh there is a lot online, and even poetry emerging from people who are right there in the path. There's some amazing photos and video footage coming out now too I see, looks like an all night vigil for me. Thanks for the 'Chains' music selection, I remember that song now that you mention it, will have a listen. That last line you like was a last minute change to the poem, interesting that you noticed it.

Hoping your family is safe, and able to stay in contact, such a worry!

Peg Cole from Northeast of Dallas, Texas on September 13, 2018:

Your timely words bring imagery of the depth and dangerous strength of the storm. Loved the line from "Chains, Turned out to be another link in the chain."

Whenever I think of chains I see John Travolta (in the movie Michael) dancing with the women to the tune, "Chain, Chain, Chain. . . Chain of Fools."

Praying for safe harbor for those in the path of the hurricanes. My sister lives in North Carolina and so does my niece and my nephew. Hoping all goes well for them and all who live in affected areas.

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on September 13, 2018:

Hello manatita, Thank you so much for reading, and your appreciation. I am honoured.

manatita44 from london on September 13, 2018:

Florence is a powerful poem … a tough reminder of cosmic forces we can't control. Excellently expressed!

I feel like a crow, sometimes. Calling and longing … longing and calling. Like a gambler, I'll come good one day. Evocative poem.

Strong first poem. Exquisitely penned. Life's struggle. What a pendulum, like rolling waves.

Verlie Burroughs (author) from Canada on September 13, 2018:

Hi Bill. I'm not feeling eloquent today, so I'm just going to say, simply, thank you! Appreciate the read, you are too kind.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on September 13, 2018:

I have nothing eloquent to say this morning. My comment is a simple one, but there is great meaning in those simple words . . . you are a talent!